Netanyahu Unveils Likud List for Crucial Election

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented the Likud party's list of candidates for the upcoming Knesset elections during a convention in Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening. Netanyahu declared the moment "a fateful election eve in Israel," framing the choice as between a right-wing government and a left-wing government supported by Arab parties.

Likud announced seven new reserved spots on the list. These include Channel 14 commentator Yaakov Bardugo, slated for the 11th position; Eliyahu Medan, a reserve combat soldier and co-founder of the Avigail settlement near Hebron, who was severely wounded in the Gaza war; Talik Guili, mother of fallen officer Ran Guili; attorney David Peter, formerly of the Kohelet Policy Forum; retired Brigadier General Amir Avivi, founder of the 'Bithonistim' movement; former MK Eli Goldschmidt; and Itzik Bonzel, father of fallen Sergeant Amit Bonzel.

Businessman and tech entrepreneur Oren Dobronsky was previously announced for a reserved spot, but he stated he would not run for Knesset and would instead serve as a professional minister. He explained that while Netanyahu offered him a spot in the top ten and a ministerial role focused on AI, he preferred to contribute his expertise solely as a minister. Dobronsky intends to work with Netanyahu to establish Israel as an AI superpower.

The Likud tribunal had ordered Netanyahu to submit his reserved list within two hours the previous evening, or face a secret ballot vote by the party secretariat. However, Netanyahu stated he would submit the list on Tuesday morning. Reports indicated Netanyahu was considering last-minute additions, including some primary election losers, due to rejections from individuals he had approached.